Culture

PHOTOS: Cirque Du Soleil’s “TOTEM” At Ohio Expo Center

Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM opened to rave reviews on Aug. 22 at Columbus' Ohio Expo Center, thrilling the audience with breathtaking acrobatics, eye-popping sets and dazzling costumes, all under a large–yet intimate–blue and yellow big top.

Written and directed by multidisciplinary artist Robert Lepage, TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.

The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations.

Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.

TOTEM features a cast of 46 acrobats, actors, singers and musicians performing in an ever-changing environment. Through video images that were specially shot for the production in various parts of the world, the set of TOTEM becomes a virtual swamp, a river source, a marsh, a lake, an ocean, a volcanic island, a pond and a starry sky.

The Ohio Expo Center will host TOTEM through Sept. 15. For tickets and information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.